OK, it's not quite that bad, but the dogs are tired. I decided I wanted to hit Alki this morning to see what was out there, add to my 2005 city list. Ended up walking from Alki to the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal, hence the sore tootsies. Anyway, got off the bus and walked to the beach, immediately picked up Brant and Harlequin Duck. Soon saw Western Grebe, and later Horned Grebe. Spotted quite a few Surf Scoter's too. Next new bird was a Thayer's Gull (good looks), then as I got nearer to Lincoln Park, the first Golden-crowned Kinglets of the season. Heard a few birds singing in the park, including Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Winter Wren (a number were singing throughout the park) and Song Sparrow. Finally, I hopped on the ferry to ride to Vashon and back, see if I could pick up any more water birds. Glad I did, as I got Pigeon Guillemot and Red-necked Grebe from the Vashon terminal, as well as seeing a raft of 50-60 Western Grebes on the way. Made for a good day, 4 new lifers. Oth!
er good
birds on the day included Common and Barrow's Goldeneyes (birds together, able to contrast nicely), a pair of Bald Eagles, lots of Red-breasted Mergansers, and two Brown Creepers. Total species for the day - 41.

My Seattle 2005 birds now total 73 species, and since this was the first time out of the city in 2005, those last two birds make 75 state species so far. Good birding y'all!

Brett A. Wolfe
Seattle, WA


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